Richards needs to leave Fish and Game after hunting video

We found news of Daniel Richards’ recent guided mountain lion hunt in northern Idaho more than disturbing. In a state where citizens have twice voted a basic on ban the trophy hunting of mountain lions, we found it blatantly offensive for the president of the California of Fish and Game Commission to have done this.

Richards, also an appointee of former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, is charged with protecting fish, wildlife and the state parks for the entirety of California. And yet he travelled to Idaho, paid $7,000 for a guided mountain lion hunt and, according to the Humane Society of the United States, chased a cougar up a tree with the help of hounds and professional guides. Richards then proceeded to shoot the beautiful wild creature off a limb, then held the carcass up, grinning for a photo op.

The photograph is double awful. It disrespects California voters and it disrespects wildlife.

We join the call from the Humane Society for Daniel Richards’ resignation.